What's Selling Where
WEST
CALIFORNIA
Cal Custom Guns, Fallbrook
Sitting just one mile from the southeast entrance to Camp Pendleton, this retailer has been serving southern California for 40 years. The step-down, below-street-level store keeps more than 300 firearms in stock, with an additional display of over 60 Model 94 Commemorative Winchesters.
At the handgun counter, .38 cal. M&P Shields, Smith 629s, Sig P2022s, and Ruger LCRs are in the fight. “Our sales have not slowed, and demand may increase at our store. Our customers are the best, they give us wonderful support,” said co-owner Kristy Berain.
At the start of rifle season, the top sellers are Ruger Americans, the Savage Axis, and Marlin lever-actions, in a mix of calibers—.45-70, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308. Hunting ammo stocks are good, and the store even has a few difficult-to-get loads such as .300 Win. Mag and .243. Shotguns are turning as well, with a mix of Turkish home-defense guns and used Browning and Winchester 12 gauges.
COLORADO
Family Firearms, Colorado Springs
A corner store in a large, suburban strip mall, this 2,000-square-foot retailer stocks nearly 1,000 rifles and handguns and has four employees. Handguns are a significant focus for this retailer, especially Glocks. “We stock a lot of Glocks. Our store has two counters filled with Glock displays,” said counter salesman Matt Lovell. “It's the largest Glock display in this part of the country.”
As expected, the store's top three sellers are Glock 43Xs, G48s, and 19s, along with Model 10s. Another significant seller is the FNX-45. Modern Sporting Rifles in the upper price range—Armament A2s, FN Tactical IIs, and Adams Arms—are locked in a battle for first place.
MONTANA
Shedhorn Sports, Ennis
Located 70 miles outside the entrance to Yellowstone Park in western Montana, this 34-year-old retail store keeps 12 employees busy stocking over 1,000 guns. While flooding and a wet summer have slowed sales, Covid is still ratcheting up traffic.
“Since the pandemic, the demand for out-of-state tags has skyrocketed. It sends our fall accessories business through the roof and puts a great strain on hunting ammo sales. Although we have a better selection than expected, it’s hard matching customers with the exact manufacturers they want," said buyer Lindsey Wilson.
Handgun sales continue to increase, with high turns going to Colt Pythons and Anacondas in .357 and .44 Mag., Glock 20s, and all things 1911, along with big-bore Ruger Alaskans.
Bolt-action rifle sales are up. A mix of Christensen Arms, Coopers, and Remingtons are getting the most turns. MSR sales are steady, with Daniel Defense and Ruger 556 in the high spots.
MIDWEST
MINNESOTA
Cabin Fever, Victoria
This general sporting goods store is 40 minutes due west of downtown Minneapolis. It uses 1,500 out of 6,000 square feet to market their inventory of about 650 firearms. The store also carries soft goods, archery, camping, bait, and it even refills propane tanks.
Shotguns are what's turning at this store. High-school trap season is bringing good numbers on everything from Remington 870s to Stoeger Condor Field guns and Benelli Super Black Eagle IIs. Used Brownings and Winchesters are also in high demand. Shotgun ammo inventory is improving.
MSR sales are steady. Best sellers include CMMGs and Del-Tons. Bolt-actions, especially in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308, are also hot. Browning X Bolts lead the category, but Tikkas and the Savage Axis moving as well.
“Our bolt-action business has moved back into the forefront over MSRs. We have good inventory and are looking to have one of our best fall seasons on rifles,” said counter salesman Sam Harer.
Handgun sales are steady. Glock 19s, Sig P365s, Springfield Hellcats, and the new S&W M&P M2.0 are all moving quickly.
KANSAS
Olathe Guns, Olathe
This well-established independent keeps over 1,000 sporting and home-defense firearms in stock. It also sells soft goods. “Inventory may be the best it has been in a decade. Except for a few ammo calibers, like 6.5 Creedmoor, our shelves are full. We can sell just about anything our customers are looking for,” said floor manager Jeff Day.
Handguns have been selling well all summer. Glock 19s, Hellcats, and Sig P365s have been turning daily. Shotguns are in stock and turning with a mix of higher-end upland guns from Benelli and Browning. Stoeger 3500s and pumps are also in high demand. Other long guns sales are a one-to-one mix of MSRs and bolt-action rifles. “For every Ruger 556 we turn, a Ruger American in .243 or 6.5 Creedmoor follows,” said Day.
MISSOURI
Razorback Armory, Des Peres
Located in west suburban St. Louis County, this retailer stocks about 200 new and used firearms in a mix of long guns, handguns, and MSRs. It also features custom MSR and 1911 build outs. Handguns have had a good summer, as the shop has moved high numbers of Sig P320s and P322s. Other high-selling pistols include Glock 43xs with Shield Arms magazines, which increases overall capacity to 15 rounds. Remington 870s are in stock for the first time in two years. The store has also seen good turns of Mossberg Tactical shotguns. Shotgun ammo is in short supply.
One of the most significant growth segments here has been suppressors. “We do a lot of custom suppression modifications. The big change has been that we can electronically process the paperwork, which takes about four months to complete. It used to take more than a year,” said co-owner Jesse Rolfes.
MSR sales are steady; Arrow Precision is the sales leader. This retailer's gunsmith jobs are on back-order with a variety of MSR custom builds, mostly for distance shooting and varmint hunting.
SOUTH
ARKANSAS
Pawn Gallery, Clarkedale
This small, independent pawnshop stocks an average of 250 firearms and is located off Interstate 55 40 miles east of Fort Smith. “We’re a small shop and we cater to a price-point shopper. While we do have demand for more expensive firearms, they are almost exclusively ordered, not something we regularly stock,” said manager Kelly Elam.
MSR sales are flat, with one S&W M&P 15 Sport II or Ruger selling every week. Sales of bolt-action rifles are slowing. Winchester and Marlin .30-30s and Ruger Americans and the Savage Axis in 6.5 Creedmoor see the most interest. Rimfire rifles in .22 are still moving, mainly due to adequate inventory.
Handgun inventories are high. The SCCY CPX-1, Taurus G3, Ruger LC9, and Jimenez JA 9 see the most sales.
Shotguns that are selling include the Remington 870 Express, Mossberg 500, Stoeger pumps, and Browning semi-autos.
KENTUCKY
River City Firearms, Louisville
This metro Louisville dealer stocks an average of 400 firearms with three employees. Handgun sales, mainly in smaller concealed-carry lines such as the S&W M&P Shield EZ and Model 442 and HK P2000, continue to move at near-pandemic numbers.
As for MSRs, this store is still selling three units a week. “It’s nice to have bolt-action rifles in stock, and we expect a good fall. MSRs are slower to move, but they are most definitely hanging on and will continue to sell well,” said owner Derrick Meyer. Sport IIs and M&P 15-22s post the best numbers.
A few Ruger Americans in 6.5 Creedmoor are turning. However, Tikka is leading the bolt-action category with the T3X in .308.
KENTUCKY
Sherwood’s Guns, Bowling Green
Located near the crossroads of Highway 231 and I-65, this retailer stocks nearly 3,000 firearms and sports a 12-lane indoor shooting range with more than 11 full-time employees. The inventory is a mix of traditional hunting and defense guns. The store carries a significant inventory of used firearms.
Sales have continued to impress owner Sherwood Davis. “We have done well this year and are on track to come close to our early pandemic numbers. I've found that if you can keep inventory on the floor, it flies out the door,” he said.
High retail price points have ruled this season, with Barretts, FN rifles, and Desert Eagle pistols continuing to sell as soon as the inventory arrives. Other big handgun movers include Beretta 92s, Sig P365s, and Shield EZs. One pistol that has been slow to realize sales has been the S&W 30 Super Carry. “The new Super Carry has not gotten the attention we expected. I do think that with time and a little more marketing, it could be one of our biggest sellers,” said Davis.
MSR sales have been an even mix of Daniel Defenses and M&P Sport IIs. Bolt-action guns are in good inventory and expected to pick up strongly in the next 30 days. Ammo is in better shape than last year, with many sporting rifle cartridges in stock. Shotgun ammo is leaner but improving.
EAST
PENNSYLVANIA
Grice Gun Shop, Clearfield
Just south of I-80 in northwest Pennsylvania, this well-established gun store and distributor keeps thousands of firearms in stock while serving a rural community. Bolt-action guns have seen a big improvement in inventory, and this store is relieved to see manufacturing meeting orders. “It has been great to see inventory catching up, and our shelves are filling. In fact, it has been a relief to see life approaching normal,” said owner Tom Price.
Handgun sales continue to remain steady, with compacts and sub-compacts leading the category. Sig P365s, Springfield Hellcats, Glock 19s, and Smith Shield EZs continue to post consistent numbers. Defense shotguns are down, but traditional hunting guns are up. Winchester and CZ are all available and starting to move quickly. MSR sales are steady; Ruger 556s, S&W M&P 15 Sport IIs, and Black Diamond are turning the best.
This store reports challenges meeting demand on target loads and several specialty shotgun shells. MSR ammunition has been available, and pricing is slowly dropping. Stocks of classic hunting rifle calibers are improving, and almost all major handgun calibers are in inventory.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Milford Firearms, Salem
Located in southern New Hampshire west of Nashua, this store keeps over 1,000 guns in stock and inventories a complete line of reloading supplies. With inventory improving across the board, this retailer has a positive outlook on the fall hunting season.
“Like many stores, we were completely cleaned out in 2020. Although it has been a struggle for everyone in the industry, we have finally brought our stocks up to pre-pandemic levels," said manager Nevin Donavan.
While overall inventory is substantial at this store, Donavan mentioned that primers and .410 shells are extremely difficult to obtain.
Handguns are particularly hot. Glock and Sig P320s and P365s dominate the handgun counter. Other strong sellers include CZs and Smith Shield EZs. Rifles from Ruger and Remington are back in stock and selling. MSR big sellers include Ruger 556s and Sport IIs. Sporting shotguns are steady, with CZ and Stoeger in the top positions. Turkish pumps are slowing in lieu of higher price-point turns. Ammo stocks are generally improving at this store.
MAINE
Wiley Sports Center, Ellsworth
This firearms and fishing tackle store rests between Bangor and Bar Harbor in the northern third of Maine’s coastal communities. The store is a mix of home protection and hunting firearms as well as e-bikes. It stocks close to 500 new and used guns.
While the summer brought high demand for .22s and handguns, this retailer thinks 2022 will be one of the most significant years for bolt-action rifles. “We can finally get bolt long guns. I'm not sure if it has been the lack of availability or the pressures of the pandemic, but my customers are looking hard at new hunting rifles,” said manager Brandon York. Browning X-Bolts top the list in .308 and .300 Win. Mag. Additional big sellers include Savage Axis and Ruger Americans.
MSR sales are steady at three a week with a mix of mostly Ruger 556s and some FNs and HKs. Browning X-Bolts are topping the list in .308 and .300 Win. Mag. Additional big sellers include Savage Axis and Ruger Americans.
Shotguns are a mix of Browning over-unders, along with Stoeger M3500s and Benelli Super Black Eagle IIs. The store reports shotgun ammo is challenging to get and keep in stock. At the handgun counter Glock, Springfield Hellcats, and H&K VP9s top the in-demand list. Ammo stocks at this store are good, except for select hunting rifle calibers.